Durham/Chapel Hill Office Clinicians
Rae Ann Hamilton enjoys working with tweens and teens (ages 10 and older). Issues she has training and experience in with young people include: anxiety, depression, Attention- Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, learning difficulties, social problems, anger management, self- esteem, giftedness, and life transitions such as from high school to college. Mrs. Hamilton incorporates several therapeutic approaches in
Dr. Colleen Hamilton has a passion for working with teenagers and their families. Her background includes working with adolescents with a variety of presentations, including: behavior difficulties; social skills problems; depression; general, school, social and test anxiety; AD/HD; ASD; learning disabilities; trauma; self-image and self-esteem, identity development, and the spectrum of adolescent issues. For teens dealing with trauma she utilizes her specialized training in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy. In addition, Dr. Hamilton has worked with special needs (i.e., autism spectrum and emotional-behavioral disturbance) and at-risk teens (i.e., teens involved in delinquent behaviors). Her experience with teenagers also includes career development for older teens. In her individual therapy with adolescents she demonstrates respect for the teen while guiding them in the development of new skills, behaviors and/or in mood regulation. Adolescence can be a hard transition for both teenagers and parents, and Dr. Hamilton can help the family navigate this time in family therapy. Dr. Hamilton utilizes various approaches such as psycho-education and improved listening and expression to help foster communication between teenagers and parents. She has assisted teens and parents in creating structure and a daily routine, teaching problem solving skills, conflict resolution skills, boundary setting, how to support a member with a mental illness, how to have a healthy argument, and how to have fun as a family. With over 15 years of experience specializing in kids and families, she has a wide array of tools to help teens and families.
Dr. Ohler enjoys working with teenagers and their families. Her work has involved helping adolescents develop a sense of identify and personal mission, manage boundaries with friends and family, understand and cope with emotions, and transition to independence. She has worked with adolescents that struggle with depression, social skills deficits, anxiety, substance abuse, self-injurious behavior and disordered eating.
From the very beginning of her career, Dr. Lepage has been focusing on children and families; whereas most psychologists have an undergraduate that is, like their doctorate, in psychology, Dr. Lepage has an undergraduate in Child Development & Family Relationships. Her many years of specialization in child development and families make her highly sought out by parents seeking help for their child. Dr. Lepage has
Raleigh/Cary Office Clinicians
Adolescent years can be a challenging transition between being a child and becoming an adult. Heidi works with adolescents to identify their values and strengths, which are underlying currents of the work she does with this population. Helping teens to find their voice, develop positive coping strategies, and learn communication skills to use with their family and peers is part of the therapeutic process. With her many years of working with emerging adults, Heidi also encourages adolescents to envision their future and set practical goals for themselves, whether it be attending college, community college, or learning a trade. Each adolescent is a unique individual – therapy can help them become the best versions of themselves for today and beyond.
Melissa has worked with adolescents for over 25 years in individual, family, day treatment and inpatient settings. She adapts a non-judgmental, relationship-based approach with the goal of connecting to the adolescent so they can be honest with her and themselves about what they are feeling. She incorporates parent and family work as well for an effective systems-focused approach. With children and teens of all ages, Melissa provides therapy for a broad array of childhood issues such as depression, general anxiety, social anxiety, school anxiety and refusal, gender identity, bullying, trauma and abuse, sibling rivalry, parent-child relationship rifts, oppositional behavior, conduct issues, academic struggles, attention deficit, healthy lifestyle choices, and supportive therapy for life changes such as moving or divorce or grief. Teenagers are experiencing changes on multiple levels and often can’t find the words to express their thoughts; Melissa helps them be able to do this. Therapy with teens includes art, music, nature and other activities to facilitate communication.
Cheryl Cohen has worked with adolescents for over 25 years. Cheryl’s undergraduate degree is in family systems, and in graduate school she maintained a family systems perspective. Cheryl has a non -judgmental, non-condemning, relationship-based approach. She believes it is the connection between clinician and client that determines outcomes.
Dr. Alexandra Maestre works with teenagers and families to improve behaviors, emotional functioning, learning, and social-emotional outcomes. Through a systematic, problem-solving approach, she seeks to understand the source of unique difficulties and address the system as well as improve coping skills to improve understanding of behaviors, distress tolerance for the teen and family, acceptance of diagnoses/challenges, and emotional regulation to facilitate more positive outcomes for children and families. Dr. Maestre helps adolescents learn adaptive coping skills which can be used throughout their lives in various circumstances and settings. Teens will find new ways of understanding their own behaviors and those of others, and parents will learn how to support growth so changes can be sustained.
Telehealth Online Office Clinicians
Melissa has worked with adolescents for over 25 years in individual, family, day treatment and inpatient settings. She adapts a non-judgmental, relationship-based approach with the goal of connecting to the adolescent so they can be honest with her and themselves about what they are feeling. She incorporates parent and family work as well for an effective systems-focused approach. With children and teens of all ages, Melissa provides therapy for a broad array of childhood issues such as depression, general anxiety, social anxiety, school anxiety and refusal, gender identity, bullying, trauma and abuse, sibling rivalry, parent-child relationship rifts, oppositional behavior, conduct issues, academic struggles, attention deficit, healthy lifestyle choices, and supportive therapy for life changes such as moving or divorce or grief. Teenagers are experiencing changes on multiple levels and often can’t find the words to express their thoughts; Melissa helps them be able to do this. Therapy with teens includes art, music, nature and other activities to facilitate communication.